Piper’s Regal Presence

SPEAKER_00 1:07

Piper, a white Labrador, was the happiest when she spent time with our humans. Piper, Maureen, and her husband were a close-knit family. There was a happiness that was beyond description when they were all together. Piper played various roles in her family, including protector, hunting companion, and late-night walking partner. While her affection wasn't the excited in-your-face type, her presence was often described as regal. Her wise demeanor and calm soul exuded love. She was stationed right next to Maureen at all times. In times of illness, she never veered from watching over her human mama. She was often regarded as an angel dog. She was never in need of anything. Actually, it was like she was there to take care of her beautiful humans. Welcome to another episode of Curating Connection. Today's guest is Maureen Simon, a hairstylist, focused in holistic nutrition and an astrologer. Welcome, Maureen.

SPEAKER_01 2:20

Hey, Kim, thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited to be here.

SPEAKER_00 2:25

I am so excited that you are here to talk about your beloved Piper, the connection you had with her prior to her passing, her passing, and the signs that you received from her. Who was Piper to you as a presence?

Decline, Goodbye, And The Cardinal

SPEAKER_01 2:46

Oh my gosh, Piper was the most beautiful ivory lab. She lived to be 15 years old. My husband got her from a friend when we were 24 and 25 years old. We were young when we got her. She came into our life and had this beautiful energy. We just laughed at all the funny things she did. She grew into kind of a wise old soul, kind of early on for a lab. By the time she was maybe like five, it was really obvious that she was just this calm, wise presence for us. And we just, she was a part of, she was such an important part of our family. We loved her, she loved us. It was just total unconditional love. So many beautiful memories with her. And yeah, we we took her, you know, we we went up north with her. My husband hunted with her often. They had such a strong, strong connection. And so did her and I. And then the the three of us as well. Piper Piper started to show signs of getting kind of not, you know, old, maybe around 12, 13. We couldn't believe that she was still with us. We were so grateful. And by the time she was maybe 14 and a half, she really started to to decline. My husband was saying, you know, it's probably starting to be time. And I was just holding on so so tight to her. She had been there for me through some some illness things, some some surgeries. When she was actually four years old, I had my first surgery, and she at that time had all this abundant energy. And she just laid by me all day long throughout those weeks of recovery. And I just remember thinking, wow, this animal knows that I'm not myself, I'm not well, and that I'm getting better, but she just helped me heal. It was some autoimmune issues. So she was just an integral part of my healing throughout my life, throughout my 20s and 30s. And so that spring came and she wasn't, she wasn't doing the best. She was she was really declining, and finally she could she couldn't walk anymore. And so we knew it was time. And on a beautiful May, early May day, I think it was May 3rd, 2021, we decided to have that it was it was time, which was a really, really, really difficult decision. It had taken me about six weeks to come to that. And they came over. We had music I had some music playing that her and I would listen to throughout our life together our time together. And I I I laid on the ground with her, I I held her while she passed. And it was it was one of those experiences in life that I'll never forget. It was it was heart shattering. I really changed in that time because of what how difficult it was. So any of you out there listening, I completely understand. It is it is truly heart shattering to lose this absolutely unconditional love that you've had with this this being. Or you think you're gonna lose it, I should say, which is the gem of the whole story. You actually don't, but in that moment while she was while she went, and it was definitely, definitely her time to go. I looked up and there was a beautiful cardinal just staring right at us. And so, and there was a song playing at that time. So when that song has popped up out of the blue, or when I see a cardinal, I really do there those those are huge signs that that Piper is is near. So that's I would I guess I would start with that.

SPEAKER_00 7:22

And sharing how you were there to support her at that time, just as she was right by your side throughout your challenges in life. I do believe that there are so many people here today that have the strong connection with their fur babies, and you sharing this information today is gonna help them. So if you're here listening today, it's not by coincidence. Maureen, you immediately got signs that have stuck with you from Piper. But tell me, how have you been connecting with her since 2021?

First Signs And Talisman Of Howlite

SPEAKER_01 8:02

Yeah, so the the connection started actually immediately, like I said with the cardinal. You know, I was it was my mom and my husband and I, and the the vet that had come over, we were able to be outside, and you know, I felt her there and then I felt her pass, and the the cardinal was there, and then I we we got up, and after, you know, we after after being with her for for a little while, I would actually recommend staying with your pet after as long as you can. I think that that's just a really healing thing, if if if possible. I got up and my husband picked her up and was gonna bring her to to bury her on our land. And I went out in the woods and there was just a all this wind that came throughout the trees. And so this cardinal came and then the beautiful wind. And anytime I think of her and out in, you know, on our land, and a huge gust of wind comes, I feel I feel her presence as well. But I like as I said earlier, I was completely shattered. My heart just felt like it had broken into a million pieces. And what I did was I went down to a local rock shop to see if I could find a rock that could be comforting. And this howlite, this she was a white, like I said, she was a white lab, and this heart-shaped howlite rock just jumped out at me. And this is two days after she went, and I have held it, and just it's been such a helpful thing to have because I feel like that, like she was kind of there with me and kind of knowing that that I needed something to actually hold. So it's it started there. And honestly, I mean, those those first few months, I felt like it was almost all day, every day. I just felt her presence so so strongly. I I would be doing dishes in the kitchen and would see a flash of a white. What I felt like was her running across you know the window. I mean, it was just kind of constant. I didn't have many dreams about her, but I felt I felt her presence. As far as the signs, there's been so many, but I'll just share a few. Like I said earlier, the music that we her and I, I would sing to her, we would listen to music so often. And anytime, you know, say I was on a walk listening to music and I started thinking of her, not always, but oftentimes a song would kind of pop up that would be something that her and I would listen to, or even listen to while she was passing, which I always felt like such a strong sign. Like I said earlier, the wind picking up would make me feel like her presence was close. Anytime I would see a cardinal. And then the story in Kim's book, which I feel honored to be a part of, by the way. Thank you, Kim, was I I was having a particularly difficult time of being away from from home. And I was walking on the ocean and thinking of her, and all of a sudden I look down and there's a half, as you can see it in the book, there's a it looks like an angel wing, and it's uh it was a shell, but it was very much angel wing looking. It was white and had all the lines in it, and it was just the sun was shining on it in such a beautiful way that it just popped out to me, and it was just so obvious that it was her saying, I'm right here with you. My my love has not gone away. And I think that that that is the biggest message that I want to share being a part of this podcast, is leading up to Piper's passing. I thought once she passed, it would just be her the unconditional love that you feel from a pet would just disappear. And that terrified me because it was so strong. And what I learned was that it totally doesn't go away. It's it's with you always, it's with you for the rest of your life. It's this gift that is just keeps on giving. And you can, I think the key is to be able to tap into that by asking, asking whatever you believe in, angels or God or or your animal to just be with you. And what I will say is sometimes in the beginning, it wasn't as easy as just that. And I think that there's there's honestly times where you feel like a void and an emptiness that that is there because they have passed. And but the truth is, is that the love that you have actually doesn't go away. And if you can somehow find a way to kind of channel that, connect with that, I should say. That's been the biggest lesson in all this for me. I knew she'd kind of always be there, but I didn't realize it would be such a presence and so much love throughout the rest of my life. I know she'll be with me my whole life. So that's what I would share.

SPEAKER_00 13:39

Maureen, it sounds like what you're saying is connection doesn't leave and love goes beyond presence and words.

SPEAKER_01 13:49

Yes, and and our bodies. I mean, it really is is if your souls and spirits are connected, they are forever.

SPEAKER_00 13:57

Absolutely. Do you think animals send signs differently?

SPEAKER_01 14:04

I really uh, you know, I thought I thought this through, and I really do I really do think that they do. I think that it's just a pure, less complex feeling when you get a sign from a pet. It's just a really pure unconditional love feeling. And yeah, I think I think that the signs themselves are are the same are can be similar, like animals or music or the elements or anything, but it it just brings back the the unconditional love, like that purity. And there's really nothing else between a human and a pet. So I think that's what the difference would be.

SPEAKER_00 14:58

And if somebody listening has lost a pet and hasn't noticed signs, what would you want them to hear right now?

Music, Wind, And Angel Wing Shell

SPEAKER_01 15:10

Yeah, that's a great question. There were times where, you know, as as much as I'm speaking about all this unconditional love and all the signs that I experienced from her, there were times where I would be so sad and crying so hard and and wouldn't wouldn't be able to connect with her, didn't feel her presence as much. That will happen. That was in the earlier stages of of the shattering grief, you know, in the in the earlier for me, it was three to six months to be honest, but it will come and it does kind of ebb and flow.

SPEAKER_00 15:58

Yeah, I think that is yeah common all around. And do you think receiving the signs from Piper changed the way you experience grief? Because comfort can coexist with pain or grief.

SPEAKER_01 16:19

Yes, that's such a great question. I I do I do believe that it that it changed my relationship with grief because I didn't I didn't really know I had lost, you know, I've lost people in my life and it's been it's been incredibly difficult. And this just showed me that the connection can really go on with all of them, and that has been the case. It's really kind of connected me up with anyone that I've known that's passed, actually. So that's been really beautiful.

SPEAKER_00 17:02

Oh, I like that. Have you taken certain steps to curate that connection with Piper, with others? Like, is there anything in particular you do? Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 17:17

Actually, I I I truly think that the I don't know if it's the key or if it's if it's I think being open and asking, asking for just the ability connect with to connect with them is is truly where where it actually happens. And I think also putting yourself in a in a place where that can happen, like going on walks in the woods or just cleaning the house and being open to anything coming through or feeling a connection with them. I think that if people stay distracted their whole life with all the things that we need to do, it's an it's so difficult to actually have that happen. So I think the key is to stay in the be able to try to stay in a present moment and to be open at the same time and have kind of that intention to connect is has been the key for me at least.

SPEAKER_00 18:22

I think those are very wise words of wisdom for our listeners today. And I hope that they take a few of those steps that you've shared to possibly connect with someone they haven't in the past or to continue to deepen their connection. I'm curious about if Piper, it sounds like she really taught you, Maureen, a lot about love. And what did she teach you about love while she was here and now as she is still around you? Yeah.

Love Does Not End With Death

SPEAKER_01 19:03

So Piper, when she was here, I'm so glad you asked this because when she was here, the love that she sh that she showed to my husband and I was just it was so light. We just we had so much fun together. And it was consistent. I think that you know it it it still is, but I think that no matter what was happening, no matter if one of us was sick or away or anything, it was just so consistent. We laughed with her so many times. I mean, it was just we we would put a Christmas hat on her and take pictures of her while she would just sit there looking like she was not super happy about it. I mean, there was just all all one all kinds of wonderful things that that experiences that we had. She came on our honeymoon with us up north to a cabin. She it was just abundant, and and since then it's taught me that it's just as strong. Love is just as strong whether a person or an animal, at least in my mind, is here in their body or not. And it's really strengthening and is just, yeah, it's ever present, that her her love still. So that's how I'd answer that.

SPEAKER_00 20:41

That's very powerful statement, Maureen. And I hope everyone just sits with that for a moment and realizes that that love is still ever present and ever abundant, even if the one that you love is not sitting right in front of you physically. It sounds like you've had some sign. That have kind of met you personally, like signs from Piper seem to be very specific and then kind of intimate and timely. Can you share a little bit more around the signs that you've received and like how they felt to you?

SPEAKER_01 21:26

Yeah, that's yeah, that's that's great. So so how I felt, because maybe I didn't answer that part one earlier. How I felt when when these signs would come through is of course it felt like when they these stronger ones like this rock or the shell or the songs, those those were times when I was really struggling and in a lot of grief, losing her, and then even later, just in general, you know, things happen in in our lives. And and those were the times that she brought these really strong, or it felt like these signs came through really strong, and her presence was with me. And it's so comforting when that comes through. And truly, it doesn't need to be a specific thing. If it's I feel just as I have felt just as comforted and calmed and more peaceful just from stopping for a minute, seeing if she's if she's still with me, and and feeling her energy as I have with with seeing an actual sign, like a cardinal or the song comes through. So all of those things matter the same. And the the the feeling that I get is is is this this peace and love that she's still with me. And truly, if I had heard this one right after she had passed, it it would have been helpful. It's kind of like you're in a you're in a sea of of not knowing how how long the pain, how long the grief and the pain will last. And it and it does it does get better over time. And I just hope people remember that they're always with you.

How To Invite Signs And Connection

SPEAKER_00 23:32

I really appreciate you sharing that. And I think it identifies another way that people can feel that connection that they still have is that you brought up that inner feelings and emotions that come up versus kind of latching on to needing that physical, visual, or tactile sign. I think if people take a moment when they're sitting in the grief, and maybe Maureen, you'll agree or disagree, that they can ultimately maybe feel that there is just out of random a whirlwind of peace that just settles in, or one day you just wake up knowing, oh, today seems a little bit better. Maybe that's actually the love and support from beyond sending extra strength to you.

SPEAKER_01 24:31

Totally, yes. Yes, these pets are our our guardian angels. I mean, they really, they really are. That connection is so deep. And even if you do sit and and ask them to be close to you and you don't feel it, I think that the message that I would like to send out is that they are there. She's with me all the time, and I know that even if I don't feel it super strongly. So, yes, that just the energy and the the asking is just as strong. But these physical signs are are really important because they show us that it, I mean, I think our mind sometimes it's helpful to believe when we actually see something. And so those things have been really important for me in the grief process because I'm I mean, I'm holding this rock right now. I have the shell with me. So I know that that she is that she's she's been a part of my life and she's she's she's there.

SPEAKER_00 25:43

So I really love that. And it really resonates with me because I do believe that with this tangible evidence that you have in your hand right now, today, and right next to you, that's really creating that belief. It's providing hope and affirming that connection. And sometimes we just need to pull out one of those tools, right? That you have and feel it again and bring us back to the time that you know, the happy times or the grief times or whatever times, but something tangible for us to remember because sometimes emotions can get so overwhelming, or sometimes we just want to feel that connection and that little tool or talisman or special thing brings us right back to that loved one.

Grief’s Ebb And The Comfort Of Presence

SPEAKER_01 26:36

Absolutely, absolutely, and I will I will just add that it it is normal to feel I didn't, you know, I I I I knew I knew from about the time that Piper was 10, 11 that it was going to be really difficult to lose her. I didn't, and I I knew it was gonna be extremely difficult, but I didn't quite know how difficult until it, you know, she was heading that way, and we were we were getting prepared to to let her go. And then it happened. So I just would like to share a message of if you're in that or if you're heading towards it, the the pain that you feel is is how much you love this animal and hoping you can find comfort in that. And the level of of pain that you might feel will get better. I never thought it would after about six months, and it does get better. In fact, one thing that I did that helped me personally along was I connected with a pet psychic. We did a short session, and and she was from a different state and knew so many things about hyper nice connection and and our me and my husband and hers connection. And that was also another sign that was really beautiful that helped kind of move move things along. I think also if there's a way that you can find to be creative with with something with your pet, like making something out of their blanket, or a friend of mine cross-stitched this beautiful photo of Piper, anything like that to to help that pain. I to create it remembering that it's actually love instead of pain was helpful.

SPEAKER_00 28:43

Those are just so breathtaking, honestly, to listen to Maureen. And I think really wise words are wisdom, just like Piper was full of wisdom for sure. Grief really changes shape, kind of as you're speaking about today, but the love remains. And even in loss, whether it's a loved one or a pet, love really continues to grow. I think you've really articulated nicely today that those we love never truly leave us, and they really continue to live on in our hearts every single day. If Piper, who was the wise one here, could leave one message for anyone listening, what do you think she would say? What would it be?

SPEAKER_01 29:35

Oh my gosh. I love that. The first thing that came to my mind just now is just to love, just to love people and be there for them no matter what they're going through. I would say that's that's that's her that was her main message, I would say, is is just to be loving. For sure.

SPEAKER_00 30:07

I think we should all take a Piper lesson today and step into being a little bit more loving in the moment and in every action that we do. As far as you're concerned, Maureen, what are you curating connection with these days?

SPEAKER_01 30:25

Yeah, I am curating connection with, I love this question, with gratitude for each moment. It's gratitude is just such a powerful emotion to connect connect into. If you can open up to it, I mean this this losing Piper also and looking for signs also connects you up to you know, if you're if you're open and looking for it, you can see that there's love in kind of everything. People, trees, plants, the wind, music. I mean, it's just it's everywhere. So that's what I would say that I'm I'm curating connection with lately. I also would like to just add for for for pet owners that lose a pet, we we were able to get another dog quite quickly after she passed, and I think we I think we got Sophie six months or six weeks later. And one thing that I had asked Piper for a few years prior to her passing was to to send a new soul for us to have a family with. And Sophie is now four and a half, and she is a totally different being than Piper, but we love her just as much. She is absolutely wonderful, she's so funny, and she's got a much more youthful energy to her, and that's been wonderful as we're getting older. And so I'd recommend that. I'd recommend asking your pet or angels or God to send if you'd like another pet to send in, you know, once it's getting time, to send in the next one whenever it's ready. And so that's been really beautiful too.

Lessons On Love Then And Now

SPEAKER_00 32:47

That's a wonderful idea, and it seems like you got a perfect match with Sophie as well. We did. I like that you're doing connection to gratitude. You know, gratitude is really one of those high-frequency emotions that puts the brain in connection mode. And I think when you're in connection mode, you naturally notice synchronicities, you see patterns, you actually can feel those intuitive nudges and recognize signs. And I think this is why gratitude is linked to receiving more signs. It creates that mental and emotional conditions where perception widens. So, and gratitude is often considered a form of love in action. And everything you shared today, Maureen, is really been about love in action with your connection to Piper and the signs.

SPEAKER_01 33:50

Yes, yes, exactly. Exactly, Kim. Yeah, I mean, I'm I'm actually learning it as I'm speaking about it. I'm I guess I haven't really sat and thought about the whole picture like I have right now. So this has been such a gift to me. Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 34:09

Well, you have been a gift to our podcast today, Maureen. Maureen's story can be found in my book, See the Signs, Creating Belief, Providing Hope, and Affirming Connection. You can see the beautiful picture of Maureen Piper, the ivory lab with just her regalness in full command. And I will have Maureen's contact listed in the show notes below if you need to reach out to her for anything around hairstylist or astrology sessions or holistic nutrition information. And as always, keep seeking your signs.